PRAGUE NIGHTS (PRAŽSKÉ NOCI), 1969, Czechoslovakia, 99 min. Dirs. Miloš Makovec, Jiří Brdečka and Evald Schorm. A stuffy middle-aged foreigner, a businessman named Fabricius (Miloš Kopecký), lonely and looking for a night’s diversion, finds it in the form of a mysterious blonde, Zuzana (Milena Dvorská). In an abandoned cemetery, she tells him three tales involving black magic and erotic obsession. In director Jiří Brdečka’s stunning “The Last Golem,” a young rabbi (Jan Klusák) struggles to fashion a massive, silent giant out of living clay – until he’s distracted by a mute servant girl (Lucie Novotná). Utterly hypnotic and dreamlike, set to a haunting chorus of ghostly voices, “The Last Golem” ranks with Fellini’s “Toby Dammit” in SPIRITS OF THE DEAD as one of the finest supernatural short tales of the decade. In the second episode, “Bread Slippers,” an 18th-century countess (Teresa Tuszyńska) indulges her passion for sweet cakes, adulterous affairs, and secret kisses with pretty maids – until a mysterious visitor (Josef Somr) whisks her away to an abandoned mansion, where Fate has a different kind of dance in store for her. In the final story, “Poisoned Poisoner,” a ravishing murderess in the Middle Ages dispatches lecherous merchants to the tune of upbeat 60s Czech Pop songs (scored by the renowned Zdeněk Liška). A true rediscovery for horror and fantasy fans and lovers of the occult, PRAGUE NIGHTS has been restored for its first-ever U.S. release by the Národní filmový archiv, Deaf Crocodile Films and Comeback Company. In Czech with English subtitles.
For thoughts on the new 2024 Issue Limited Slipcover release of Prague Nights, please check out my thoughts on No Streaming Required:

Video Quality
Prague Nights debuted on Blu-Ray in 2023 in its original 1.37:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p master derived from a new restoration by the Národní filmový archiv, Deaf Crocodile Films and Comeback Company. As with nearly all releases from one of the best boutique labels in the game, this presentation is a winner. The transfer shows off a robust amount of depth and enhanced detail within these visually stark segments. Certain elements of the makeup and fantastical production design look unbelievable in their clarity.
The dreamlike photography captures the unique environments in a way that thrives in HD with natural grain intact and faithfully resolved. There is a sumptuous amount of detail present with prominent textures on the costumes and the unforgettable production design. The mixture of tinted and color photography aids in creating an eerie atmosphere punctuated by impeccable contrast. Black levels are deep with no trace of black crush or compression artifacts. Highlights similarly hold steady with no blooming at play. The restoration reveals ostensibly no print damage thanks to the archival team. Deaf Crocodile always puts in the quality.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray comes with a formidable LPCM 1.0 mono track in the original Czech (with optional English subtitles). This track presents everything deliberately with flattering fidelity and without damage or other unwanted issues. The film is a mixture of classic storytelling and infectious vibes, and the journey is filled with unmistakable sonic characteristics that perk up the speakers. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without the haunting sound effects or the score drowning out pivotal information. The film unleashes some sound effects that are given the appropriate presence within the mix. The score comes through well in relation to the competing sounds. Deaf Crocodile has delivered audio that matches the video side of things.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Tereza Brdečková and Czech film expert Irena Kovarova of Comeback Company provide an engaging and informative commentary track in which they provide great context for international cinema and Czech cinema of the time, the origins of this feature, the collaborations between Jiří Brdečka (father of Tereza) and Miloš Makovec and Evald Schorm, the gathering of Prague legends, the production of the film, and much more. Not only do we get a personal take on the material, but the analysis as a film historian is fascinating.
- Pomsta (Revenge) (1968, 14:04): An animated short film directed by Jiří Brdečka is provided in which a young lovestruck man gets into a bad situation with a wizard.
- Jsouc na řece mlynář jeden (There Was a Miller On a River) (1971, 10:58): A (mostly) animated short film directed by Jiří Brdečka is provided in which a soldier returns home after 20 years to a surprising welcome.
- Interview with Czech Film Critic and Screenwriter Tereza Brdečková: A 48-minute interview with Tereza Brdečková in which she discusses the work of her father Jiří Brdečka, her relationship with her father’s work, the influences on his unique sense of humor, the work of the Czech masters, and more.
- Booklet: A multi-page booklet is included in this release which features the essay “The Eternal Mystery of Prague Nights” by Tereza Brdečková which gives a great amount of context to the creation of this film in a way that is quite illuminating.
Final Thoughts
Prague Nights is another strange and wonderful outing from Jiří Brdečka and his equally talented collaborators, Miloš Makovec and Evald Schorm. This anthology format allows for some creative indulgences that pay off with peerless imagery you will not soon shake. The film requires a lit bit of patience with its measured pacing, yet it rewards greatly in the end. Deaf Crocodile has released a Blu-Ray which sports a first-rate A/V presentation and a stellar assortment of special features. If you enjoy international oddities that shake up the status quo, give this a shot. Recommended
Prague Nights is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a 2024 Issue Limited Slipcover exclusively through Deaf Crocodile and DiabolikDVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Deaf Crocodile has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.

Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.